Rapid Prototyping
Post-Production Processes
and Services

ProtoCAM's offers a variety of in-house services for enhancing the appearance or capabilities of the rapid prototypes that are produced. As a full service rapid prototyping provider, ProtoCAM has vast experience in customizing the prototypes it produces for a variety of uses. Post-production processes for rapid prototypes include:

• Coloring - Dyed Prototypes and Painted Prototypes
• Threaded Inserts
• Plating
• Media Blasting
• Sanding
• Polishing

All of these techniques can used with stereolithography prototypes and some may be able to be used for other prototype production technologies.

Coloring Prototypes

ProtoCAM specializes in adding color to prototypes. This is done to enhance the aesthetics of the prototype or may serve a functional purpose such as making the part more easily identifiable. ProtoCAM has a well-developed expertise in dyeing stereolithography prototypes using a proprietary process to have the part properly absorb the dye. A prototype may be colored with any of the basic colors such as red, green, blue, purple, yellow, etc. Painting prototypes is also available. Painting requires multiple steps of sanding, priming and painting. Note that painting make also change the dimensions of the part. Click here for more details on coloring prototypes.

Threaded Inserts

Threaded brass inserts work well when prototypes must be assembled and disassembled. ProtoCAM can assist with the installation of threaded brass inserts into stereolithography prototypes as well as other prototypes. There are two types of inserts that can be used in our prototypes, standard and expandable threaded brass inserts. Click here for more details on threaded brass inserts for prototypes.

Plating

ProtoCAM offers prototype plating to add a metallized exterior coating to a prototype or part. Services include:

• Electro-plating with Chrome, Nickel or Copper
• Aluminium Vacuum Metalling, with tinting also available - see tinting options colors in the image shown here.

Media Blasting

Media blasting enhances the finish of a stereolithography prototype, giving the exterior a more consistent lookand feel. ProtoCAM's special media blasting process with a proprietary media mixture ensuresthat the part will look appealing to both the eye and to the touch. This media blasting process has been refined over many years to yield superior results. Click here for more details on media blasting for prototypes.

Sanding and Polishing

Other post-production processes include sanding and polishing the surface of the part. View this table describing the finish options that are available for SLA prototypes.

Contact ProtoCAM for Rapid Prototyping Processes and Post-Production Rapid Prototype Processing Services

Contact Us to inquire about how ProtoCAM can help you with the post-manufacturing processing of your prototype or to request a quotation.